The building next door to my office is Grace Hall — a beatiful historic old gymnasium which has been converted into a combination Student Center and modern sports/events venue. One of the things that Kyle and Owen love to do whenever they’re on campus is to go into Grace Hall and explore. They love to explore the charming dimly lit hallways, and peek out the ancient tall windows, and ride up and down in the elevators. We’ll often run into students mingling about, or shooting hoops, or practicing volleyball, and the boys (and the students) get a big kick out of spontaneously interacting with each other. The boys also love to go inside the main center of the building and climb up and down the bleachers. We do this often. It has become a little ritual for Kyle and Owen every time we’re leaving “Mama’s Office” to head home. Students have often told me that they “love it when the twins come to Grace Hall!” They are fun to watch as they explore and climb.
Yesterday afternoon I had the boys on campus with me. Of course we had to go into Grace Hall before we got in the car to go home. The boys were doing what they always do — exploring and climbing up and down the bleachers. I noticed a middle-aged white woman in a Lehigh Athletics uniform watching us through a window. Then I saw her enter the big room where we were, and she started to approach me. Here is what transpired:
Woman (W): Who are these children?
Heather (H): What?!?
W: Are they with you?
H: Yes.
W: You’re watching them?
H: What do you mean?
W: Are you watching them?
H: Like, am I watching them climb? Or, like, am I watching them? [as in babysitting]W: You know what I mean. Are you watching them? [as in babysitting] Are they with you?
H: Yes, they are with me.
W: Who are they to you?
H: Excuse me?
W: Who are they to you?
H: They are my children. They are my sons.
W: Oh. [long awkward pause] Well, who are you? Do you work here?
H: Yes. I am a professor here.
W: Oh.
H: Is there a problem?
W: I, um, um, I don’t want anything to happen to those children.
H: What do you mean?
W: I wouldn’t want to see them get hurt.
H: Well, neither would I! I’m their mother!!?! They’re perfectly fine.
W: Well, the building is officially closed.
H: My office is right next door. I know the building is not officially closed. I know the building is open.